STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 16, 19 January 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Between the close of the Nance o'Neil season and the opening of the Crane-Power company's there is an intermission of but one night, so that theatregoers cannot complain, of a dearth of attractions at the Operta House just now.. The Crave.-Power Dramatic Company, which has been touring the colony with great success, opens here on Monday night. It is a strong combination, and the repertoire includes some fine plays. Miss Edith Crane and Mr Cecil Ward are already well known to Aucklanders as artists of exceptional merit, and Mr Tyrone Power comes with an excellent reputation, while the company includes some of the best, talent available in the colonies. The opening production will be "The King's Musketeers," dramatised by Henry Hamilton from Dumas' famous romance "The Three Musketeers." The play is new to Auckland, and will be awaited Avith interest.

Miss Edith Crane, Tyrone Power and the Williamson Dramatic Company return to Melbourne Her Majesty's before Easter, and will do a Nihilistic drama, "-Najesda," by Maurice Barrymore. Messrs Cooper and MacDermott's kinematograph entertainment will be given at the Opera House this evening for one night only.

Miss Nance O'Neil brought a lengthy season at the Opera House to a close last evening, when "Queen Elizabeth" was revived. The company proceeds South to-morrow from Auckland.

Forbes Robertson, the eminent English actor, has just announced his^ engagement —matrimonial —to Miss Gertrude Elliott, his leading lady, who visited Australia with Nat Goodwin and her sister Maxine.

At the City Hall Dixs Gaiety Company enters on its 95th week of continuous tenancy to-night. Little Eileen Boyd proves as popular as ever, while J. C. Bain, Frank Clark, Misses Gladys Bewth, Marie Boyton, and the rest of the company keep the programmes well up to the mark.

Frosh vigour was imparted tio the Bijou Company's programme at the Agricultural Hall this week by the appearance of Miss Lottie Lome, already well known as a most capable serio-comic performer; Miss Lena Young, a contralto' vocalist; Fisko, a boy juggler of marked ability; and Will Watkins, well described on the bill ns "everybody's favourite." The attendance keeps up well.

The "Australasian" thus refers to Miss Irene Franklin, who will visit New Zealand shortly under engagement to Mr P. 1!. Dix:— "Another highly approved engagement is that of Miss Irene Franklin, the daintiest variety stage performer Mr Riekards has so far recruited in America. She is quite as much a favourite under the Williamson as under the Riekards management. A Sydney paper records that when on Boxing Night the orchestra struck up "Take Me Back to Dixie" the audience knew what was coming and- applauded Miss Franklin long before she made her appearance."

Issue number two of the "Australian Stage Annual" is quite equal to the high standard of excellence attained by its predecessor, as an illustrated record of the dramatic doings of the year. Excellent full page illustrations of Nance O'Neil, Nellie Stewart, Brown Potter, Lottie Collins, Billie Barlow, McKee Eankin, Charles Arnold, Kyrle Bellew, and a host of other stage favourites, are co be found in the number. Short stories, articles and verse provide considerable general reading.

An operatic artist, who, in spite of an eventful life, preserves much of the freshness of youth, on being complimented on his appearance, exclaimed in his Anglo-German accent, "Ah, dat is due to my sysdem." . Pressed to explain his system he was reluctant. "Dere are few beoples dat can submit to anydings dat so severe is, but I have pessevere wid him." Upon further pressure he yielded, and "gave away" the charm that yielded him immortal youth. "Twice dimes a week, midout ever it t*> neglect, I bath myself in cold water. Ach, if all singer and artist would.do dat dey would find how to forever live."

Mr J. C Bain, whose long engagement with Mr Dix has now come to an end, purposes touring the country districts of x\ Tevv Zealand with a company of his own. He opens in the gokifields district on Monday next. The company includes little Claude Sullivan, the clever boy comedian, and among the attractions will be a theatrophone, imported direct from America, which will be operated by Mr Harry Dunbar.

Mr George Musg'rove's three grand opera prima donnas —Miss Lorraine, Miss Crichton and Miss Coomber —are each under 34 years of age.

An unfortunate accident occurred at the Opera House, Christchurch, to little Eileen Boyd shortly before her return to Auckland, a hammer falling on her head from the top of the scene and cutting it rather severely.

Mr Orlando Daly, who will be remembered in New Zealand as a member of Mr Walter Bentley's company, is now in South Africa, and has received a commission as senior.lieutenant of Lord Kitchener's bodyguard.

Wirth Bros.' Royal Circus has commenced a short season in Christchurch. Since Messrs Wirth Brothers were here last they have travelled nearly all over the world, having visited India, Java, China., Burmah, the Straits Settlements, South America, South Africa and England. In this extensive tour a keen lookout has been constantly kept for the best human and equine talent, and many notable additions have been secured for the Royal Circus; as it is now called.

Theatrical managers in Sydney, remarks the "Daily Telegraph," are all Niobes. They are all smiles all along the line, and business has been so good that changes in programme are not yet contemplated.

"The Australian Bush King" is the name of the Australia drama to be presented shortly by Mr Alfred Dampier.

"Florodora" has unmistakably captivated the Melbourne public. Without being of remarkable merit (says a Melbourne papei'), either from a musical or an artistic point of view, the production is dainty, delightful and exactly suited to the popular requirements at holiday time. "Florodora" is now being produced in New York, with Mr Willie Edouin in his original part of Professor Tweedlepunch.

It is believed that a large price has been offered for the Australian rights of "Herod" by Mr Stephen Phillips, the young poet. Recently Miss Maud Jeffries, who was in Australia with Mr Wilson Barrett, had to temporarily surrender her part of Mariamne in the new play, "Herod." Her withdrawal was due to loss of voice.